Do your homework!

If you own or manage land that you are considering planting trees on, do your homework first. Doing some research and planning before you plant your trees can make the difference between a good investment and a bad investment. Here are some of the factors to consider before planting:

• Soil type and available moisture
• Slope (north or south facing)
• Can I provide the needed care (weed control, pest protection, pruning etc.)
• What is the market for the species I am going to plant
• Can I harvest and market my trees
• What species were native to the property
• Plant trees that are grown from seed that was collected in your area or from the same seed zone if possible. Get trees that are grown from genetically improved or select parent trees if possible.

Protect your new seedlings from deer!

• Deer love to eat the tender new growth on your trees and they will if you do not take steps to prevent it! Here are some methods we have found to reduce or eliminate browsing by deer on seedlings
• Rigid seeding protectors are put over the tree and staked with a bamboo stick. This is generally the most expensive method but allows for long term protection. The tube can be moved up the tree the next year as the tree grows.
• Plant SKYD spray on repellent comes in powder form and is mixed with water then sprayed on the tree as the new growth appears. This has a limited time protection but it can protect the new growth which is what the deer like best.
• Flexible mesh bud caps are stapled to the top of the trees. The mesh protects the first part of the new growth. These are less expensive than rigid protectors but also provide less protection. They are better than paper caps because they allow air and light to the new growth. These protectors last longer than spray repellents do.